The report, with data from 225 law enforcement agencies across the state, was presented Tuesday by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs
Carleen Johnson
The Center Square Washington
The annual Crime in Washington 2023 report found that overall violent crime went down, but hate crimes and vehicle thefts increased.
The report, with data from 225 law enforcement agencies across the state, was presented Tuesday by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
The numbers of murders, other violent crimes and property crimes went down compared by 2022, but in many areas of the state, residents are still victimized at alarmingly high rates compared to other states.
“In 2023 we saw 376 murders, which is a 5.8% reduction than the year before,” said WASPC President Steven Strachan at Tuesday’s press conference highlighting the report.
The report shows that there were 376 murders in 2023, a decrease of 5.8% over 2022, but an 87% increase since 2019.
“Vehicle theft is up again at 54,187, with vehicles stolen in 2023, up 112% since 2019,” Strachan noted.
The report noted the Evergreen State has seen a 112% increase in vehicle thefts since 2019.
More than 20% of those arrested for vehicle theft were juveniles, an increase of 24% since 2022, per the report.
Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell told The Center Square his city is bucking the trend, seeing a dramatic decrease in motor vehicle theft this year.
“Year to date compared to last year, car theft is down 42%, and just comparing this June to last June that is a 59% reduction,” Ferrell said.
He added, “You’re going to see the bottom drop out of that number now that we can pursue vehicles.”
Ferrell was referencing an initiative passed by the Legislature this session that allows police wider discretion in pursuit of criminal suspects. The initiative went into effect early last month.
One of the big takeaways from the report is the low number of law enforcement officers in Washington.
WASPC says Washington again is ranked 51st out of the 50 states and District of Columbia for the number of officers per thousand residents. The per capita rate of law enforcement officers fell to 1.35 per thousand statewide, which is the lowest per capita rate recorded. The national average per capita rate is 2.31.
“This is the 13th straight year for Washington being the lowest per capita for law enforcement,” Strachan said. “If we were to get to the national average, we would need to hire 8,000 officers.”
A few other notable statistics from the report include:
- The total population of Washington state is 7,951,649.
- Crimes Against Persons showed a decrease of 0.6% with 110,332 offenses reported; compared to 2022 offenses reported of 111,003.
- Crimes Against Property showed a decrease of 11.9% with 358,749 offenses reported; compared to 407,258 offenses reported in 2022.
- Crimes Against Society showed an increase of 22.4% with 21,045 offenses reported; compared to 17,193 offenses reported in 2022.
- Violent Crimes showed a decrease of 5.5% with 31,050 offenses reported; compared to 32,853 offenses reported in 2022.
- There were 376 murders in 2023; a decrease of 5.8% compared to 399 murders in 2022.
- Domestic Violence offenses made up 47.9% of all Crimes Against Persons.
- Hate crimes increased 6%; a total of 576 hate crime incidents were reported.
This report was first published by the Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Opinion: ‘This is not the best and most efficient use of the taxpayers’ funds’
Ken Vance critiques the announced $14.4 billion I-5 Bridge replacement, questioning funding gaps, the insistence on light rail, unaddressed congestion, and transparency from state officials. - Cost for IBR’s total project ‘most likely’ to be $14.4 billion
Washington’s governor committed to a light rail bridge across the Columbia River, prioritizing the $7.65 billion initial phase while sidestepping the full project’s $14.4 billion price tag. - Natural gas leak forces evacuation in restricted area in Vancouver
Crews closed multiple streets and evacuated about 20 Vancouver homes after a gas line was damaged by workers. C-TRAN provided a bus to shelter residents during the incident. - Letter: Don’t leave Longview in the dark
Longview Mayor Erik Halvorson warns that uncertainty in Washington’s energy policy is deterring manufacturing investment, citing a local project’s move to the Gulf as evidence of this statewide challenge. - OnPoint Community Credit Union welcomes Lisa White as CFO
Finance veteran Lisa White will oversee financial operations at OnPoint, drawing on two decades of leadership and her work with Girls on the Run and Columbia Bank. - Ridgefield student to serve as Rotary Club’s youth ambassador to central Mexico
Ridgefield High’s Zander Earl was chosen as Rotary’s youth ambassador and will spend his junior year studying in central Mexico, immersed in both the language and local culture. - Opinion: Hiring someone for jobs around the house?
Households in Washington that hire caregivers or cleaners will have to keep records, offer contracts, and follow new compliance rules under HB 2355.
wpDiscuz
